Cut four pieces of fabric according to the swag and drop pattern. Pull out threads to create fringed edges. Secure fringes with FrayStay. Glue silk cord along fringed edge.

Cut four pieces of fabric floor to ceiling length, the width of the window. Put FrayStay on all cut edges. Dry.

Pre-heat oven to a low heat. Soak one fabric panel in water, dab off excess and arrange fabric in Pretty Pleater. Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until dry. Repeat with all fabric panels.

Cut two pieces of card stock the width of window x 3 cm. Cut four pieces of card stock 1 x 3 cm. Glue into two U-shapes and cover with fabric. Arrange and glue two pleated fabric panels on inside of U-shape. Repeat for other U-shape. Arrange and glue two fringed and pleated fabric pieces on outside of U-shape. Use needle and thread to pull up fabric in corners to create a swag and waterfall drop.

Cut two strips of fabric 1 x 10 cm. Pull out threads to create a fringe. Secure fringes with FrayStay. Use needle and thread to gather fabric and create a rosette. Glue flower decoration on rosette and glue this on the top centre of curtains.

Cut four 1,5 cm strips of fabric on the bias, fold long edges to the inside, iron and glue. Arrange as curtain tie-backs. Hang and arrange curtains in front of windows. Enjoy.

Well OK, this is not a real recipe, but it is what I have been doing the last few days. And I did put the fabric in the oven to dry it. So a recipe of sorts.

When I was going through my stash of fabrics a few days ago I found a piece of fabric which had the perfect colour for the Dining Room of my new Canal House. Although not silk as I had intended, the cotton looked so good with the wallpaper I will use in this room (see my blog post from July), I decided to go ahead and use it anyway.

I used the curtains in the background of this painting as inspiration. Of course I did not have a pattern to work from, so I just kind of made it up as I went along. They turned out quite well.

I still have to adjust some of the draping but I will do that when I install the curtains permanently once the room is finished. The other items in the room are just there for a bit of set dressing, they won't be in there when the room is finished.

Great recipe, great result :) I especially like the decoration detail using the button, a good idea. And the fringing looks great. I think it's very funny that you put the curtains into the oven to dry, I'd never thought of that altho sometimes I blast fabric and paper with the hairdryer but sometimes the 'wind' makes it take off - I'll have to consider your oven idea next time.

Josje, Love the height of the windows. I did not know one should "bake" the curtains..... to set the pleats, I presume?

Re the broken porcelain bowl. I had it made especially and only told my sons - now 30 & 33 how upset I was when they broke it. They were horribly shocked that I simply said nothing and didn't know I went into the bathroom and wept. Of course the broken bowl was mearely a symptom of frustration with the non-stop craziness of three wild boys in the house and a husband who was out of the country more than home.... but that is long ago!All the best.Janine minworks.blogspot.com

Marie-Laure, welcome back ;-) I'm very glad to be following your blog, as I think you are one of the most talented miniaturists in blog-land.

Jeffry, no not Willet-Holthuysen, as I don't have photos of those ;-)Just kidding, but I used photos from internet to get a general feel for the fireplaces of the era. I want to cast a few of them. Annette and I did do a few test which did go quite well, but we would like to use a different moulding material.

Irene, I am building this dolls house with much higher ceilings than my first house. This room is 32,5 cm high, so about 3,90 meters in real life, which is about right for rooms in those buildings.Yes, radiators, hair dryers, ovens...as long as they dry...But I have my ovens avaiable all the time so I used those.

Janine, you don't really have to bake the curtains, just drying them is enough. But using my oven (which is always warm anyway) speeds things up a bit, or a lot actually.

How good that you have kept the bowl and the broken pieces all these years! I suppose when children are in the house these things will happen. And I must admit I have broken quite a few miniatures myself. Not by throwing a ball but just clumsiness.

Thank you for the Tutorial, Josje! I meant to comment sooner... These curtains are Fantastic! The Color is Beautiful! the Style is so Elegant! I am going to Finally try to make some curtains for one of my houses.... I want to use a brocade... but it is so thick... I am not sure I can make it drape at all!!! I do not have a "pleater" and I am not sure what water will do with the fabric... but I at least can TRY to follow your suggestions!I Love the elegance that you have achieved!

You're welcome Cassandra. Well the recipe is slightly tongue-in-cheek, but I really did put them in the oven to quickly dry them. Of course you don't have to do that, they will dry naturally, it just takes a little longer ;-)